RMIS: FMD vaccination scheme provides industry with pathway to restore trade

The publication of the final Section 10 Routine Vaccination Scheme for Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in the Government Gazette is being welcomed by the red meat industry as an important step towards restoring trade across the livestock value chain.

By Maile Matsimela, digital editor at African Farming

According to the Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS), the framework provides the industry with a recognised vaccination and certification pathway that could help producers and processors regain market access during prolonged disease outbreaks.

Industry recovery linked to trade

RMIS says the ability to restore trade remains central to the recovery of the industry, particularly as FMD outbreaks continue to affect operations across the sector.

Dewald Olivier, CEO of RMIS, said trade continuity is critical for maintaining producer livelihoods, processing capacity and the broader economic contribution of the red meat industry. “Recovery in the industry starts with trade,” Olivier said.

He said Section 10 creates a recognised vaccination and certification pathway that gives producers and processors a route back to market access. According to the RMIS, maintaining trade continuity also protects the wider contribution of the red meat industry to rural economies and South Africa’s agricultural exports.

Also read: WATCH | Weekly RMIS FMD update: Vaccine supply and strategic planning

Vaccination framework brings greater clarity

RMIS explained that vaccination under the new scheme remains voluntary and that participation will come with specific requirements. These include animal identification, traceability measures, vaccination oversight and record-keeping obligations.

The organisation said the scheme is designed to work alongside existing legislation and disease-control measures, while helping maintain trade and operations during sustained outbreaks.

Also read: Imbizo 2026 | Managing the new normal: RMIS charts a path through foot-and-mouth (FMD) crisis

Focus shifts to putting the framework into practice

Although the scheme is now legally in force, the RMIS indicated that implementation work still needs to take place before participation can begin.

The industry body said a Section 10 Committee still needs to be appointed to oversee the process, while an FMD Management Manual setting out detailed requirements for animal owners and veterinarians is expected within the next 90 days. RMIS said attention is now shifting towards practical implementation. “Restoring trade requires turning Section 10 from policy into practice,” the organisation said.

The RMIS added that it will continue working with state veterinary services, industry partners and producers across the value chain to bring the system into operation.